"No trip to Mumbai would be complete without a game of tennis ball cricket,” the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak posted on the social media platform X. Images of him batting on the Parsee Gymkhana grounds on February 2, 2025 were shared umpteen times on community WhatsApp groups as also in The Times of India the following day.
From l: Eric Billimoria, Rishi Sunak, Khodadad Yazdegardi, Fredun Devitre
Also in circulation was a video clip of Sunak commenting, "Great to be with you all at the Parsee Gymkhana club.” On learning that the Gymkhana had planned its 140th anniversary celebrations later in the month, he noted, "So much history here and so much exciting stuff to come. I managed not to get out too many times this morning. Thanks for having me. I look forward to coming back.” Vice president of the Gymkhana and its cricket secretary Khodadad Yazdegardi also sent Parsiana a photo of Sunak being presented a T-shirt and P-cap bearing the Gymkhana emblem as also a video clip of Sunak autographing a Parsee Gymkhana T-shirt.
Besides playing a few shots, during the nearly 45 minutes he spent at the Gymkhana Sunak interacted with the officials, learnt about the history and current activities of Parsee Gymkhana and the first all-Parsi Indian cricket team’s visit to England in 1886. He also met the young brigade from the 16th East Zoroastrian Bharat Scout Group who have their weekly meetings on the grounds on Sundays.